“Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is to this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:19-20
The dramatic implications of this verse often go unappreciated. Joseph makes this statement to his brothers after their father Jacob dies. They were worried that Joseph was waiting for his father to die to take his revenge on them. But they completely misunderstood the sovereignty of God over all things and His amazing love that Joseph so deeply embraced. Joseph doesn’t excuse or minimize what they did to him, they were absolutely wicked and evil, worthy of judgment. But Joseph realized that God is more powerful than their wicked deeds.
Think about what happened to Joseph and try to apply it to your life now. He was hated by his family. They wanted to kill him but instead sold him into slavery. While a slave, Joseph was wrongfully accused of trying to rape his master’s wife, wrongfully convicted, and thrown into prison to rot. In prison he helped a government official who forgot about Joseph even after he promised to help him when he got out. All of this evil God meant for good!
We would totally understand if Joseph was bitter or angry, or despaired of life at any point in this horrible story. Joseph could have harbored hatred for his brethren and perhaps even lashed out at God. “Why is this happening to me, God?!” But Joseph, time and time again, did the right thing, placed all his trust in God, remaining faithful even when people treated him shamefully. He deeply believed that God meant these things for good; he just needed to be patient. He also realized that he is not God and he cannot control his situation, (am I in the place of God?) but what he can do is to be faithful. Joseph did not reward evil with evil but overcame evil with good.
What evil is happening to you right now? The good news of the Gospel is that what people intend for evil, God will use for good for His beloved. “For all things work together for good to those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Let Joseph’s example of patience, trust, and continuing faithfulness in the face of suffering be an encouragement for us to overcome the evil we are facing with good and rest in God’s sovereign love for us.
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn
photo by: Wikimedia